Actor Suresh Gopi has been proposed as the Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute’s next president

On Thursday, the Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute (SRFTI), which is situated in Kolkata, proposed actor and politician Suresh Gopi for the position of president. He will also be carrying out the duties of the head of the council’s governing body.

On his X account, Union Minister Anurag Thakur announced the news and offered his congratulations. “Many congratulations to veteran film actor @TheSureshGopi ji on being nominated the President of the @srfti_official society & chairman of the governing council of @srfti_official for a period of three years,” the information and broadcasting minister tweeted.

The Minister showered him with appreciation and said, “Your wide expertise & cinematic genius are likely to improve our distinguished institution. I hope your term is productive.

Popular Malayalam actor Suresh Gopi has delighted audiences with a number of films throughout the years. In 1997, he received the National Award for Best Actor for his performance in Kaliyattam. In October 2016, he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party, which is when he started his political career. Later in 2019, he ran for the Lok Sabha from the Thrissur seat, where he was defeated by TN Prathapan of the Congress.

Gopi faced criticism in February for his divisive comments made at a Shivaratri celebration at a temple in the Ernakulam region. I’ll say it with confidence: I have no affection for non-believers. I would pray for the elimination of any authority that seeks to jeopardize the rights of Christians because I would not stand for it. That should be done by everyone. Our guiding principle is to do no damage. However, not one of those who attempt to denigrate our dedication, our institutions, or our manner of devotion should go on to enjoy a happy life in this world.

The film had been taken out of context, he said after receiving a barrage of criticism, and he added that he did not disparage the “valuable, sensible, and thoughtful thinking of non-believers or atheists.” The discourse was fragmented, he said, to divert attention from his point of view.